Accessible check-out counter

ABSTRACT

A check-out counter includes a base having a top, a stationary countertop and a slidable countertop. The stationary countertop has a top surface and is fixedly mounted to the top of the base. The slidable countertop has a top surface and is slidably mounted to the top of the base adjacent to the stationary countertop. The top surface of the stationary countertop is coplanar with the top surface of the slidable countertop.

BACKGROUND

The supermarket and merchandising industries use a variety of different styles of check-out counters. In most jurisdictions, counters having cash registers that provide for the sales or distribution of goods or services should include at least one counter that complies with accessibility codes for the customer. Generally, accessibility codes require the counter to have a minimum length and a maximum height above the floor in combination with an accessible route for the customer.

However, many jurisdictions are now implementing more stringent requirements. For example, a jurisdiction may now require that an accessible counter not only have a minimum length and a maximum height, but also provide adequate knee space having a minimum counter width and minimum counter depth.

The discussion above is merely provided for general background information and is not intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

SUMMARY

A check-out counter includes an unload area that supports merchandise to be purchased, a bagging area that is located down stream from the unload area and used for supporting bags that receive the purchased merchandise and a deck area located down stream from the unload area and the bagging area. The deck area includes a base having a top, a stationary countertop and a slidable countertop. The stationary countertop has a top surface and is fixedly mounted to the top of the base. The slidable countertop has a top surface and is slidably mounted to the top of the base adjacent to the stationary countertop. The top surface of the stationary countertop is coplanar with the top surface of the slidable countertop.

In other embodiments, the check-out counter includes a base deck and a top deck. The base deck has a top surface and at least one recessed surface that is recessed from the top surface of the base deck. The top deck has a moveable portion coupled to the at least one recessed surface of the base deck with at least one slide. The at least one slide includes a base member coupled to the at least one recess surface of the base deck, a top member coupled to a bottom of the moveable top deck and a slide member for slidably engaging the base member to the top member.

A method of transitioning a check-out counter is also described. A base and a countertop mounted to the base are provided that are in a first position. The countertop includes a fixed section and a slidable section. The fixed section has a down stream end and a top surface. The slidable section has a down stream end and a top surface that is coplanar with the top surface of the fixed section. In the first position, the slidable section is located adjacent to the fixed section such that the down stream end of the slidable section is in alignment with the down stream end of the fixed section. The slidable section of the countertop is then moved to a second position that is different from the first position. In the second position, the down stream end of the slidable section is cantilevered from the base and is out-of-alignment from the down stream end of the fixed section.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. The claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any or all disadvantages noted in the background.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a check-out counter according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a back perspective view of the check-out counter illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the check-out counter illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an end view of the check-out counter illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an end perspective view of the check-out counter illustrated in FIG. 1 in an accessible configuration according to another embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the check-out counter illustrated in FIG. 1 in the accessible configuration.

FIG. 7 is a back view of the check-out counter illustrated in FIG. 1 in the accessible configuration.

FIG. 8 is a top view of a base deck of the check-out counter illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the base deck, a moveable top deck and a plurality of sliders coupling the base deck to the moveable top deck to allow the check-out counter illustrated in FIG. 1 to transition into an accessible configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Retailers process transactions for goods or services at counters. In some jurisdictions, an accessible counter is one that is barrier free and has adequate knee space for the customer. As defined in these jurisdictions, a barrier free counter is one that is not more than 865 mm above the floor and has adequate knee space that is not less than 760 mm wide, 685 mm high and 485 mm deep. As described herein, a check-out counter is provided that can be transitioned into a customer accessible check-out counter when the need arises. More specifically, the check-out counter is described as being able to transition into a barrier free counter having adequate knee space for the customer.

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate a check-out counter 100 according to one embodiment. FIG. 1 is a front perspective view, FIG. 2 is a back perspective view, FIG. 3 is a front view and FIG. 4 is an end view of check-out counter 100. Although check-out counter 100 is optimized for the supermarket or merchandising industry, it can be adapted for a variety of other retail, wholesale and/or warehouse applications. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, check-out counter 100 includes an unload area 102, a point-of-sale area 104, a bagging area 106 and a deck area 108.

Merchandise is placed in unload area 102 and advanced along a processing path 110 (FIGS. 1 and 2). More particularly, unload area 102 supports merchandise that is to be purchased by forwarding the merchandise along processing path 110 to point-of-sale area 104 where it is processed before being placed into a bag in bagging area 106. In FIGS. 1-4, unload area 102 includes a conveyor belt 112. Conveyor belt 112 includes a terminal end 114 (FIG. 2) located adjacent point-of-sale area 104. Merchandise placed on conveyor belt 112 by a customer is conveyed to terminal end 114. In an alternate embodiment, unload area 102 is a static surface along which merchandise is manually advanced. In another embodiment, unload area 102 is relatively short such that a shopping cart containing merchandise can be positioned relatively near point-of-sale area 104.

Point-of-sale area 104 includes a point-of-sale terminal (not illustrated in FIGS. 1-4) having various peripheral devices for processing a transaction. The point-of-sale terminal includes a controller that is located in work area 118 and is electrically coupled to the various peripheral devices. For example, the point-of-sale terminal can include an optical scanner or reader configured to read information from the merchandise when moved proximate the scanner. The scanner can read merchandise identification information and/or merchandise price information from a bar code or other type of identification badge secured to the merchandise. In one embodiment, the scanner can be integrally connected into point-of-sale area 104 in space 116. In another embodiment or in addition to including an integrally connected scanner, the scanner can be a handheld device that is held on a scanner holder located in or near work area 118. In further examples, the point-of-sale terminal can include a point-of-sale monitor coupled to a point-of-sale monitor stand 120, data input devices, such as a keyboard, a touchpad and a cash drawer, a printer located in work area 118 and an electronic payment processing module that can be mounted to a check writer ledge 121.

Bagging area 106 is located down stream from unload area 102 and point-of-sale area 104 and is used to support bags for receiving purchased merchandise. As illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 and in one embodiment, bagging area 106 includes one or more upper bag racks 122 and one or more lower bag racks 124. Each of upper bag rack 122 and lower bag rack 124 is configured to support a plurality of bags for subsequent loading of purchased merchandise. It should be realized that other configurations of bag racks can be located in bagging area 106 other than that which is illustrated in FIGS. 1-4. Upper and lower bag racks 122 and 124 are accessible by the cashier for ease of loading merchandise after it has been processed in point-of-sale area 104. In addition, upper bag rack 122 is positioned within reach of a customer so that a customer can assist the cashier in loading purchased merchandise if so desired.

Each bag rack 122 and 124 has a pair of spaced apart elongated support rods that laterally extend from different walls in bagging area 106 and support a plurality of shopping bags located between each pair of support rods. It should be realized that other types of bag racks other than those illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 can be used in bagging area 106. In addition, bagging area 106 includes a lower support shelf 126 positioned below lower bag rack 124 and an upper support shelf 128 located below upper bag rack 122. Lower and upper support shelves 126 and 128 each include top surfaces that support the bags hanging from bag racks 122 and 124 when loaded with purchased merchandise. Furthermore, self-supporting bags, such as paper bags, can be supported on lower and upper support shelves 126 and 128 in an open configuration for loading purchased merchandise.

Deck area 108 is located down stream from unload area 102, point-of-sale area 104 and bagging area 106 and is used to support loaded bags and used to provide further work surface areas. In one embodiment, after the cashier finishes loading purchased merchandise into bags located in bagging area 106, the loaded bags are removed from upper or lower bag racks and/or removed from upper and lower support shelves 126 and 128 and placed in deck area 108. The customer and/or the cashier can then pick up the loaded bags from deck area 108 for transport away from check-out counter 100. In another embodiment and in addition to deck area 108 holding loaded bags, deck area 108 can be transitioned or converted to an accessible check-out counter space. As previously described, an accessible counter for the customer is one that is barrier free and has adequate knee space. As defined in some jurisdictions, a barrier free counter is one that is not more than 865 mm above the floor and a counter with adequate knee space is a counter that is not less than 760 mm wide, 685 mm high and 485 mm deep.

FIGS. 5-7 illustrate check-out counter 100 in an accessible configuration. FIG. 5 is a back perspective view, FIG. 6 is a top view and FIG. 7 is a back view of check-out counter 100. As shown in FIGS. 1-7, deck area 108 includes a base or base deck 130 and a top deck or countertop 132. To configure check-out counter 100 from a first position (illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 to a second position or accessible configuration (FIGS. 5-7), top deck 132 includes a fixed portion or stationary countertop 134 coupled to base or base deck 130 and a moveable portion or slidable countertop 136 coupled to base or base deck 130. Fixed portion or stationary countertop 134 includes a down stream end 170, a first side end 171 and an opposing second side end 173. Moveable portion or slidable countertop 136 includes an up stream end 174, a down stream end 175, a first side end 177 and an opposing second side end 178. In the first position (FIGS. 1-4), down stream end 170 of fixed portion or stationary countertop 134 is in alignment with down stream end 175 of moveable portion or slidable countertop 136. In addition, second side end 173 of fixed portion or stationary countertop 134 is adjacent the first side end 177 of moveable portion or slidable countertop.

Moveable portion or slidable countertop 136 is moved into the second position or the accessible configuration by sliding moveable portion 136 in a first direction 137. In the second position or accessible configuration (FIGS. 5-7), moveable portion or slidable countertop 136 provides a barrier free counter that is not more than 865 mm above the floor and includes adequate knee space that is not less than 760 mm wide, 685 mm high and 485 mm deep. Further, moveable portion or slidable countertop 136 is cantilevered relative to base deck 130 and downstream end 175 of moveable portion or slidable countertop 136 is out-of-alignment with downstream end 170 of fixed portion or stationary countertop 134. Likewise, moveable portion 136 of top deck 132 can be moved back into the first position by sliding moveable portion 136 in an opposing second direction 139.

FIG. 8 is a top view of base or base deck 130 of check-out counter 100. Base deck 130 includes a top or top surface 138 and at least one recessed surface 140. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5-8, recessed surface 140 is recessed from top surface 138 and includes three pockets 142, 144 and 146. However, it should be realized that recessed surface 140 can include any number of recesses depending on the type and amount of hardware pieces needed to couple moveable portion or slidable countertop 136 to base deck 130.

Fixed portion or stationary countertop 134 of top deck 132 is fixedly mounted to top or top surface 138 of base or base deck 130, while moveable portion or slidable countertop 136 is slidably mounted to recessed surface 140 of base or base deck 130. A top surface 148 of fixed portion or stationary countertop 134 is substantially coplanar with a top surface 150 of moveable portion or slidable countertop 136. In one embodiment and although not illustrated, top surface 148 of stationary countertop 134 and top surface 150 of slidable countertop 136 are substantially coplanar with upper support shelf 128 of bagging area 106 so that loaded bags can be easily slid down stream to deck area 108 from upper support shelf 128. In another embodiment and although not illustrated, top surface 148 of stationary countertop 134 and top surface 150 of slidable countertop 136 are substantially coplanar with lower support shelf 126. Directly sliding loaded bags from lower support shelf 126 or upper support shelf 128 to deck area 108 reduces the need for the cashier to lift and move heavily loaded bags. In yet another embodiment and as illustrated clearly in FIG. 2, top surface 148 of stationary countertop 134 and top surface 150 of slidable countertop 136 are coplanar with neither lower or upper support shelves 126 and 128. Rather, lower bag rack 124 is aligned with or located below conveyor belt 112 and upper bag rack 122 is accordingly located above lower bag rack 124 so that the cashier can easily load bags with merchandise from conveyor belt 112.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of base deck 130, moveable portion 136 of top deck 132 and a plurality of slides 152, 154 and 156 coupling base deck 130 to moveable portion 132 to allow check-out counter 100 to transition into the second position or the accessible configuration. As illustrated, each of the three slides 152, 154 and 156 are coupled to one of the pockets 142, 144 and 146 of recessed surface 140 by fasteners (not illustrated) and are coupled to a bottom of moveable portion 136 of top deck 132 by fasteners (not illustrated). More specifically, each slide 152, 154 and 156 is a ball bearing slide that provides moveable portion 136 with adequate load bearing and full extension in first direction 137. Although three slides are illustrated, it should be understood that any number of slides could be used to move moveable portion 136 of top deck 132 and to support moveable portion 136 in the second position or the accessible configuration (FIGS. 5-7).

As illustrated in FIGS. 5-7 and 9, each slide 152, 154 and 156 includes three components: a base member 158, 159 and 160, respectively, a top member 161, 162 and 163, respectively, and a slide member 164, 165 and 166, respectively. Although each slide 152, 154 and 156 illustrated in FIGS. 5-7 and 9 includes three components, it should be realized that two component slides are also possible. As illustrated in FIGS. 5-7 and 9, base member 158 of slide 152 is coupled to pocket 142 of recessed surface 140, base member 159 of slide 154 is coupled to pocket 144 of recessed surface 140 and base member 160 of slide 156 is coupled to pocket 146 of recessed surface 140. Further, top member 161 of slide 152 is coupled to the bottom of moveable portion 136 of top deck 132, top member 162 of slide 154 is coupled to the bottom of moveable portion 136 of top deck 132 and top member 163 of slide 155 is coupled to the bottom of moveable portion 136 of top deck 132. Still further, slide member 164 engages base member 158 with top member 161, slide member 165 engages base member 159 with top member 162 and slide member 166 engages base member 160 with top member 163.

Besides overcoming the frictional forces of slides 152, 154 and 156 to move moveable portion or slidable countertop 136 in first direction 137 to transition check-out counter 100 into the second position or the accessible configuration, the force provided by a detent 180 also needs to be overcome. Base deck 130 includes detent 180 that protrudes from top surface 138 of base deck 130 to releasably engage or lock with a recess (not illustrated) located on a bottom surface of moveable portion or slidable countertop 136. Detent 180 is configured to prevent moveable portion or slidable component 136 from sliding or moving in first direction 137 until a threshold level or threshold amount of force is applied to moveable portion or slidable countertop 136. Although detent 180 can be made from various components, detent 180 illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6 and 8 is a ball detent that protrudes from top surface 138 of base deck 130 and is located between pocket 142 and pocket 144 of base deck 130. It should be realized that detent can be placed in a variety of different locations on base deck 130 that are outside of recessed surface 140. In addition, when moving the slidable section of the countertop back to the first position, a force that is greater than the threshold level or threshold amount of force is needed to lock the slidable section back into detent 180.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-2 and 5-7, fixed portion 134 of top deck 132 includes a lip or buildup contour 168 located at a down stream end 170 of fixed portion 134. Lip or build-up contour 168 protrudes upwards from top surface 148 of fixed portion 134. Lip or build-up contour 168 can prevent loaded bags that are slid from bagging area 106 onto deck area 108 from sliding off the down stream end 170 of fixed portion 134. As illustrated in FIGS. 1-2, 5-7 and 9, moveable portion 136 of top deck 132 includes a two lips or build-up contours. A first lip or build-up contour 172 is located at up stream end 174 of moveable portion 136 and a second lip or build-up contour 176 is located at second side end 178 of moveable portion 136. First lip or build-up contour 172 and second lip or build-up contour 176 protrudes upwards from top surface 150 of moveable portion 136. When converting check-out counter 100 into an accessible check- out counter by moving moveable portion 136 in direction 137, moveable portion 136 becomes an accessible counter that can be used by the customer for completing a transaction. For example, the electronic payment processing module can be moved from check writer ledge 121 to moveable portion 136. When moveable portion 136 is moved in direction 137, first lip or build-up contour 172 and second lip or build-up contour 176 can prevent the electronic payment processing module or any other items, such as loaded bags, placed on moveable portion 136 from sliding off up stream end 174 of moveable portion 136 or side end 178 of moveable portion 136.

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A check-out counter comprising: an unload area that supports merchandise to be purchased; a bagging area located down stream from the unload area and used to support bags for receiving the purchased merchandise; a deck area located down stream from the unload area and the bagging area, the deck area comprising: a base having a top; a stationary countertop having a top surface and being fixedly mounted to the top of the base; and a slidable countertop having a top surface and being slidably mounted to the top of the base adjacent to the stationary countertop; wherein the top surface of the stationary countertop is coplanar with the top surface of the slidable countertop.
 2. The check-out counter of claim 1, wherein the stationary countertop comprises a down stream end, a first side end and an opposing second side end and wherein the slidable countertop comprises a down stream end, an up stream end, a first side end and an opposing second side end, the down stream end of the stationary countertop being in alignment with the down stream end of the slidable countertop and the second side end of the stationary countertop being adjacent the first side end of the slidable countertop when in a first position.
 3. The check-out counter of claim 2, wherein the stationary countertop comprises a lip located along the down stream end and protruding upwards from the top surface of the stationary countertop.
 4. The check-out counter of claim 2, wherein the slidable countertop comprises a first lip located along the up stream end of the slidable countertop and a second lip located along the second side end of the slidable countertop, the first lip and the second lip protruding upwards from the top surface of the slidable countertop.
 5. The check-out counter of claim 2, wherein when the slidable countertop is moved from the first position to a second accessible position, the slidable countertop is cantilevered relative to the base and the down stream end of the slidable countertop is out-of-alignment with the down stream end of the stationary countertop.
 6. The check-out counter of claim 1, wherein the base comprises at least one recessed surface recessed from the top surface of the base to house a plurality of slides, wherein each slide includes at least a base member fastened to the at least one recessed surface and a top member fastened to a bottom surface of the slidable countertop, and wherein the top member of each slide slidably engages with the base member of each slide.
 7. The check-out counter of claim 1, wherein the base comprises a detent that protrudes from a top surface of the base to releasably engage with a recess located on a bottom surface of the slidable countertop, the detent configured to prevent the slidable countertop from sliding until a threshold level of force is applied to move the slidable countertop.
 8. A counter comprising: a base deck having a top surface and at least one recessed surface that is recessed from the top surface of the base deck; a top deck having a moveable portion coupled to the at least one recessed surface of the base deck with at least one slide, the at least one slide including a base member coupled to the at least one recess surface of the base deck, a top member coupled to a bottom of the moveable top deck and a slide member for slidably engaging the base member to the top member.
 9. The counter of claim 8, wherein the top deck further comprises a fixed portion coupled to the top surface of the base deck and wherein the fixed portion is located adjacent to the moveable portion.
 10. The counter of claim 9, wherein the fixed portion of the top deck comprises a down stream end, a first side end and an opposing second side end and wherein the moveable portion of the top deck comprises a down stream end, an up stream end, a first side end and an opposing second side end, the down stream end of the fixed portion of the top deck being in alignment with the down stream end of the moveable portion and the second side end of the fixed portion of the top deck being adjacent to the first side end of the moveable portion of the top deck when in a first position.
 11. The counter of claim 10, wherein the fixed portion of the top deck comprises a top surface and a build-up contour located along the down stream end of the fixed portion that protrudes upwards from the top surface of the fixed portion of the top deck.
 12. The counter of claim 10, wherein the moveable portion of the top deck comprises a first build-up contour located along the up stream end of the moveable portion and a second build-up contour located along the second side end of the moveable portion, the first build-up contour and the second build-up contour protruding upwards from the top surface of the moveable portion of the top deck.
 13. The counter of claim 10, wherein when the moveable portion of the top deck is moved from the first position to a second accessible position, the moveable portion is cantilevered relative to the base deck and the down stream end of the moveable portion is out-of-alignment with the down stream end of the fixed portion of the top deck.
 14. The counter of claim 8, wherein the base deck comprises a detent that protrudes from the top surface of the base deck to releasably engage with a recess located on a bottom surface of the moveable portion of the top deck, the detent configured to prevent the moveable portion from sliding until a threshold level of force is applied.
 15. A method of transitioning a check-out counter comprising: providing a base and a countertop mounted to the base that is in a first position, the countertop being located in a deck area that is down stream from an unload area and a bagging area of the check-out counter and including a fixed section having a down stream end and a top surface and a slidable section having a down stream end and a top surface that is coplanar with the top surface of the fixed section, wherein in the first position the slidable section is located adjacent to the fixed section such that the down stream end of the slidable section is in alignment with the down stream end of the fixed section; and moving the slidable section of the countertop to a second position that is different from the first position, wherein in the second position the down stream end of the slidable section is cantilevered from the base and is out-of-alignment from the down stream end of the fixed section.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein moving the slidable section of the countertop to the second position comprises using a sliding force that is greater than a threshold amount of force to overcome a detent located on the base.
 17. The method of claim 15, further comprising moving the slidable section of the countertop back to the first position.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein moving the slidable section of the countertop back to the first position comprises using a force that is greater than a threshold amount of force to lock the slidable section back into the detent that is located on the base.
 19. The method of claim 15, further comprising preventing items from sliding off the down stream end of the fixed section of the countertop by providing a lip along the down stream end of the fixed section that protrudes from the top surface of the fixed section.
 20. The method of claim 15, further comprising preventing items from sliding off an up stream end that is opposite the down stream end of the slidable section by providing a lip along the up stream end of the slidable section that protrudes from the top surface of the slidable section. 